Center for Economic and Policy Research
The Artistic Freedom Voucher:
Internet Age Alternative to Copyrights
Dean Baker
November 5, 2003
Executive Summary
The institution of copyrights has its origins in the feudal guild
system. Copyrights provide an incentive for creative or artistic
work by providing a state-enforced monopoly. Like any other monopoly,
this system leads to enormous inefficiencies, and creates substantial
enforcement problems. The size of these inefficiencies and the extent of
the enforcement problems have increased dramatically in the Internet Age,
as digital technology allows for the costless reproduction of written
material, and recorded music and video material.
The artistic freedom voucher (AFV) is an alternative mechanism for
supporting creative and artistic work. It is designed to maximize the
extent of individual choice, while taking full advantage of the potential
created by new technology.
http://www.cepr.net/AFV.htm
Share and enjoy,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://www.xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
http://www.glasswings.com.au/ Technology Manager, Glass Wings
http://www.sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
